Published 4:30 am, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Basketball has been the centerpiece in the life of Westhill's Edona Thaqi and hopefully the ticket to her future.

She was always an active person who enjoyed playing games when she was little but a gym teacher saw and suggested she try out for the Stamford Youngtimers. She found basketball was a good outlet for her competitive nature. She played soccer and swam but it was on the court she discovered her true passion. Thaqi found her way onto Brian Kriftcher's radar with Stamford Peace AAU team. He became her coach and has helped her develop her game. This year he became the head coach at Westhill High School for Thaqi's senior season. The young Vikings have started with a 3-7 record but Thaqi has been a consistent force on the court, averaging 12 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. Earlier this week, Thaqi went "On The Record" with The Stamford Time's Joe Ryan.

The Thaqi File

Parents/Siblings: Mike and Hatman; one sister, two brothers

Sports: Basketball

Future goals: Edona would like to continue her playing career in college. She hopes to find an opportunity to play somewhere within driving distance so her family can see her play and be a part of the experience.

The Stamford Times: What has been your best moment in basketball, so far?

Edona Thaqi: The season opener this year, we were playing against a really good team and we came out really energetic and excited about playing. I had 15 points and about six assists and six rebounds so I played really well, too.

ST: What is the best thing about Westhill High School?

ET: I would say the diversity of Westhill. All the new people you meet walking through the halls. They are really interesting and the teachers are great. They are all trying to help you get the future you want like going to college and stuff.

ST: What is your favorite subject in school?

ET: Math. I like it because there is always an answer.

ST: What is your favorite TV show and character on the show?

ET: My favorite TV show is Revenge and my favorite character is Emily. She just has a great attitude and is always looking for a way to get in the mix.

ST: What is your favorite college basketball team?

ET: My favorite is UConn women and the reason being my goal has always been to play at that level and they have individuals who are just awesome, but watching them play as a team, and having three players who went on to play in the WNBA is great. They have a really good coach who kind of reminds me of Coach K, who is my coach here and is also my AAU coach.

ET: I always get to the gym early and work with Coach K. I take shots moving farther and farther out. That is my pregame ritual and it's kind of weird but I always put my left ankle brace on first then my right and my left shoe on before my right shoe. It's the way I've always done it and I kept it like that.

ST: What is the last book you read for fun?

ET: "The Fault in Our Stars."

ST: Is there any opposing player you really look forward to playing against in the FCIAC?

ET: Tiana England (of Stamford High). She's a really amazing player and I think it motivates me to play better just because of how good she is.

ST: Do you have any nicknames?

ET: A lot of people call me E or Ed (laughing)

ST: Is there any place outside of the United States you would like to live?

ET: Italy ... It's a very pretty place.

ST: Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

ET: I would say Coach (Kriftcher) as my high school coach and AAU coach. He has really made me the player I am today and given me a lot of life lessons and has been there every day for me. He has really helped me reach for my goal of playing college ball.

ST: Where is your favorite place to go for lunch and what do you order?

ET: I like to go to the Parkway Diner here in Stamford and I get their waffles. I like waffles.

ST: What is your favorite movie?

ET: "Safe Haven." I love emotional movies but it is kind of what the girl goes through to get the life she wants and all the hard work was kind of interesting